One out of four hoteliers still use pen and paper to manage properties

Software Advice has dug into its dealings with hoteliers in the past year to gauge some trends in hotel technology buying behaviour.

It’s created a snapshot of how those charged with buying hotel technology. Revelations include that 34% of buyers are looking to replace an existing hotel management system, while a quarter want software to replace current offline – that’s pen and paper- processes.

In addition, 16% have no system at all.

When it comes to what they want included in a system, an online booking engine is the top need, followed by reservation management and housekeeping management.

Further findings reveal “missing functionality” is driving most people seeking to replace an existing sytem, 14%, followed by “technology that is not user-friendly”, 13%, and “technology that is not integrated”, 12%.

Software Advice delves a bit further and finds that the key “missing feature” hoteliers complain about is an online booking tool in most cases.

The company explains that 34% of buyers are independent hotels looking to attract millennials and points to research from Pew Research Centr as well as Expedia showing this sector makes up a huge share of the US workforce, takes more trips on average, and is likely to add on a leisure stay.

Software Advice also says that the trends highlighted feed into to general trends around consumers wanting to book online and hotels driving business direct.

Software Advice has dug into its dealings with hoteliers in the past year to gauge some trends in hotel technology buying behaviour. It’s created a snapshot of how those charged with buying hotel technology. Revelations include that 34% of buyers are looking to replace an existing hotel management system,...